ASITA and DEVALA

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotee's ,

In many instances Srila Praghupada had cited the

authority of Narada, Vyasa, Asita and Devala. Could someone please tell

me where I can find more informations on Asita and Devala. The source

must be authentic. Thanks, Y.S. Ashokamrita.

[Guest guest]

achintya, samdas@j... wrote:

> Dear Devotee's ,

> In many instances Srila Praghupada had

cited the

> authority of Narada, Vyasa, Asita and Devala. Could someone please

tell

> me where I can find more informations on Asita and Devala. The

source

> must be authentic. Thanks, Y.S. Ashokamrita.

 

The only reference I recall in Srila Prabhupada's books is a

statement in Shriimad Bhagavad-giitaa in which Arjuna says Krishna is

the Supreme Lord, that all the sages like Asita, Devala, etc knew

this and now He was telling Arjuna this.

 

I looked up the Puranic Encyclopedia. This is a book published by

Vettam Muni, available through Krishna Culture, and the full

publication details are given in the Achintya book database.

 

These are the entries I found for "Asita" and "Devala."

 

"ASITAA: A celestial maiden. She had taken part in the birthday

celebrations of Arjuna. (Sloka 63, Chapter 122, Adi Parva, M.B.).

 

ASITA I. One of the R^iTviks of the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya.

some details. (1) The prominent R^itviks were Bhaargava, Kautsa,

Jaimini, Saar.ngarava, Pi.ngala, Vyaasa, Uddaalaka, Pramattaka,

Shvetaketu, Asita, Devala, Naarada, Parvata, Aatreya....

(2) Asita, Devala, Vaishampaayana, Sumantu and Jaimini were

disciples of Vyaasa. (Prathama Skandha, Devii Bhaagavata).

(3) Asita, the sage, got by the blessing of Shiva a son named

Devala. (Brahmavaivarta Puraana).

(4) Once Asita muni explained to King Janaka the philosophy of

rebirth. (BrahmaaNDa PuraaNa, chapter 47).

 

ASITADEVALA

Main details. (1) He is one of those who spread the story of

Mahaabhaarata to the public. Vyaasa wrote the Mahaabhaarata into a

lakh of books and first taught the great epic to his son, the sage

Shuka. He later expounded it to many other disciples. Naarada spread

the story among the devas, Devala among the PitR^is, Shuka among

Gandharvas and Yakshas and Vaishampaayana among men. (Shlokas 107 &

108, Chapter 1, Aadi Parva, M.B.).

(2) He was present at the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya. (Shloka 8,

chapter 53, Aadi Parva, M.B.).

(3) He attended the coronation of YudhiShThira along with Naarada and

Vyaasa. (Shloka 10, Chapter 53, Sabhaa Parva, M.B.). See under Devala

for more information.

 

DEVALA I. A famous muni, the son of PratyuuSha, one of the

aShTavasus. (Aadi Parva, chapter 66, Verse 26). Devala muni is a

character in the well-known story of GajendramokSha. (for details see

Indradyumna).

 

DEVALA II. A muni, a very erudite scholar in the Vedas. He was the

elder brother of Dhaumya maharShi, and was present at the sarpa-satra

(serpent yaj~na) of King Janamejaya. Once Shrii KR^iShNa on his way

from Dvaarakaa to Hastinaapura met Devala. After the great war was

over he visited YudhiShThira.

Devala had a daughter called Suvarcalaa. In the svayamvara ceremony

he held for his daughter to which sons of munis were invited she

chose Shvetaketu as her husband. (Shaanti Parva, Southern Text,

Chapter 22).

Devala had two very intelligent and forebearing sons. (ViShNu

PuraaNa, Part 1, Chapter 15).

 

DEVALA III. A disciple of Vyaasa. Asita, Devala, Vaishampaayana,

Sumantu and Jaimini were some of the disciples of Vyaasa. (M.B.

Prathama Skandha).

Brahmavaivarta PuraaNa contains the following story about Devala.

Devala was the son born to Asitamuni as the result of a boon granted

by Shiva. Ra.mbhaa, the heavenly dancer fell in love with him. But,

Devala did not reciprocrate her love. So, she cursed him to become

crooked in body. When he became crooked thus he came to be called

AShTaavakra. For six thousand years he did penance after which

KR^iShNa and Raadhaa appeared to him. Radhaa laughed at the uncouth

form of AShtaavakra. But, KR^iShNa admonished her and embraced him.

At once his bodily crookedness disappeared and he became very

handsome. A vimaana then descended from heaven, and Raadhaa, KR^iShNa

and muni together disappeared in it.

EkaparNaa, daughter of Himavaan was this Devala's wife. (Hariva.msha,

Chapter 18)."

 

I hope you find this helpful.

 

- K